davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1887-12-15
THE MORRIS BRICK YARD AND MANU-
FEATURING COMPANY.

1t would hardly be proper for this
paper to go to press without speci
lically mentioning the Morris Brick
manufacturing Co. 1t has proven
itself one of the most important of
the manufacturing industries of the
place.
This company started out to do
business, as an experiment at first.
but, carefully studying the admix-
ture of the clay with which it had to
work, profting wherein they saw
opportunity and constantly adding to
it's machinery none but the latest
improved, it is now, beyond
pradventure of a doubt, an enterprise
in every sense of the term, producing
brick of quality all that could be
desired, either for local consumption
OF foreign traffic.
Among the stockholders of this
company, are some OF our most in
nuential men, WHO are made promi-
nent by their business sagacity, en-
terprise and foresightedness, and it is
to their efforts that Morris is in.
debted for this industry that provides
a pressed brick that is unsurpassed
for solidity and durability,
The product of the yard during the
last year was over 100000, and the
The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1887-12-15
The First Store in Morris.

Henry baldwin at Gadgers Station,
but ID trading post, on Il small scale.
had previously been kept there by
the proprietor, Henry Gadger. The
first grog shop was started and kept
by a SWede at Gadgers-crossing, the
whole QUITS consisting of a key of
whisky and glass (minus shanty or
tent. The first child born, was
Helena IIegland lin Sept. 1863 The
first death was of a child of Erick
GRANDSON, and the first baptized
were Helena Uegland and Josephine
Thomasson. The first church meet
ing was held by Pastor Beckmann of
the ''Swedish Augustana Sinode' of
Illinois. The first white woman
crossing the Pomme de Terre was
Mrs. Howe, en- route to Fort Wads.
worth, in the fall of 1867, and the
first as an actual settler was Mrs. p.
FrisDy. The first mill site located
was by Albert Movins. The first to
prove upa claim was Peter Bjork.
He also built the first house over the
ground, log house, and the first
shingled roof was the "Scandia" Post
office; but the first frame building
was built by Thomas Thomasson for
J. D. Good, on his farm (the present
Lights farm.) The first wheat was
raised by Lewis l.. Highland, who in
threshing had the grain trodden out
on the ground by oxen; lie also
brought the first load to the mill and
market. The first piece of machinery,
a mower, was brought here by John
Whipple and Lewis Baker for the
Gadger farm, and the first reaper by
Lewis J.. Hegland. The first thresh.
ing machine was owned and run by
Warner & Bros. The first span of
horses was owned by Lewis Hegland.
Signs of some very old surveys were
found in the early part of the settle
ment, and also we'll preserved stakes
Of the first proposed location of the
st. Paul & Pacific r. r., made long
before the outbreak by party princi-
pally consisting of English capt. alists
that went through the Red River
Valley. But the first government
survey in the county was made by
Geo. b. Wright, of Minneapolis. i'll
1866. and embraced range A.. The
next year tie southwestern part of
the county. But the remainder or
western portion was surveyed by
Gen. II. II Barrett in 1868, who at the
same time, selected Il place for hi
future home, the present large and
bonny ranch owned and occupied by
that pioneer gentleman.
The country then bore fl esh signs
of this in former years being the
favorIte hunting grounds of the In.
dams. Elk. deer, and buffalo horns
and bones were literally strewn all
The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1887-12-15
Government Ownership Of
Railroads,

Railroad superintendent (some
years hence)-Yes, sir, by o recent law
all railroads are now owned by the
Government. You have been away, /
guess.
American Traveler-Yes, l Just
heard about this change and came to
you to make sure. You were appoint
ed by the President, were you?
eyes, swung my delegation over to
his side in nominating convention. !"
"What speed do your trains make
now?'
''Thirty miles an hour-if nothing
happens"
"Is old Surepop still in charge OF the
through express? Hehad no equal as
an engineer"
mo, he was no good. He just gave
all his time to that dirty locomotive
OF his instead OF going around with
the boys and drumming up votes.
Bill Rednose is the engineer now. He
carried his ward for the whole ticket
last time"
"Humph You still have the old
switchmen though, SUPPOSED"
"Got rid Of them ali; nothing but
dead wood. Why sir, there wasn't
one of 'em could carry a precinct. -
Omaha World,
The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1887-12-15
Good With a Rifle.

B. A. Bartlett OF Randolph, n. V,
is remarkable riheman. In recent
exhibition OF his skill he is said to
have hit common bean at a distance
OF twenty yards. holding his rifle in
various positions. He also hit a pos
tai card that was set up edgewise
Using thirty-two calibre ball, he
shot through q thirty two callbre
pistol barrel, the bullet splitting on
knife blade on the further end OF the
revolver barrel, and each half of the
bullet breaking an egg. He ignited a
parlor match held by q person at the
target stand. knocked the ashes from
cigars, and concluded by shooting a
bean from the nose OF friend, who
had sufficient confidence in his skill to
permit the attempt. All these re.
markable shots are vouched for by
reputable witnesses.
The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1887-12-15
MORRIS IN 1900.
A Glance into the Future with a PoY-
trayai Of What IS Years of our
Present Prosperous Condition
and Rate Of Progress Will Bring.
A Few Pertinent Paragraphs Con-
corning Prominent Citizens
Which May Then Appear in the
Daily Sun.

Thirteen years ago TIE Sun, then
Il sprightly and typical young journal
of the times, saw in its numerous adj
vantageous surroundings, its enter
prisng set of business men, the rap
idly developing and rich agricult-
ural district of which it is the cen
ire, bright prospects for the then vii
lage of Morris, and predicted great
possibilities for it's future history.
Whatever may then have been the
ruling opinion as to these predictions
time mas fully demonstrated
their truth, A trip about the city, Il
tour through the country, an exam
nation of all the records that may
give us light on the question, with IL
comparative review of the thirteen
years intervening will show that, far
from being wild in its opinion OF what
was in store for the prosperous viii
lage, of which this metropolitan
city is the outgrowth, TIE Sun was
altogether too conservative. Time
has wrought wonderful changes.
From a village of only 1900, as if
by magic, it has grown to a city OF
over 5000 people. This stunendous
growth is not of the boom order that
goes and comes with the wind, but Of
II steady substantial sort, nourished
by the unparalleled natural advantages
of the region of which it is the proud
metropolis. Its massive public build
ings, gorgeous dwellings,, the solid
lines of brick walls towering heaven
ward on either side of our prin.
cipal streets are, OF themselves,
abundant evidence of the prosperity
of our citizens and sturdy growth of
the city. It's abundant water power,
and other innumerable facilities for
the carrying on Of manufacturing in
duStrieS have since been utilized to
point with pride to our Touring mills,
paper mill, flax mill, brick yards, dis
tillery of essential oils. brass and iron
founderieS, machine shops, etc, etc.
Very few of the thousands of acres
of Stevens county lands now remain
unoccupied; and the large herds of
thoroughbred cattle and horses, fiockS
of sheep and droves of swine to be
seen on almost every farm in the
county, show that the lesson of
stock raising, with diversified farm
ing, long taught and studied by our
| farmers, has been put into practice
by them to their profit and advance.
ment. Kings in their palaces are
poor specimens of happiness and con
tentment compared with the many in
dependent farmers of Stevens county.
The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1887-12-15
EDUCATIONAL ADVANTAGES.
Facilities and Standing Unparalleled in
Any Other City Of its Size in
The Northwest,

If there is any one point on which
Morris comes out strong, it is III the
matter Of her educational advantages.
She has two fine public schools, a con-
vent academy, an Indian school and
other places of training. Each OF
these institutions arouSeS and sustalEs
the pride Of every citizen. The pub
lie schools are graded in the usual
manner, but with the most excellent
precision. The public school build
ings are prominently situated on eth
Ell side of the town and occupying for
grounds block Of valuable city prop,
erty, are elegant adornmentS of the
town, and with the other costly pub
lie buildings of the place, are the
pride of the villagers.
The school buildings of the town
are: West Side (high) school, con-
tanning four departments and libra
~ room, was erected of brick at Il
cost of $4,000.
East Side building. of four depart
ments, is another grand brick struc
ture costing $4,000.
The Sisters of Mercy Convent
school, accommodating over 200 pu.
pills, erected at a cost of 1000.
The Sisters Indian school, recently
erected on beautiful site north of
tn e village proper. at an outlay OF
$4,000.
1t is a matter of congratulation to
the taxpayers OF the village that the
school bull dings and grounds have
| been procured without leaving them
burdened with q bonded indebted
ness for the school fund greater than
they can bear, and that to-day our
school tax has been reduced from 1G
mills to 10 mills,
The buildings and rooms are hand
somely furnished with all the modern
improvements, heated by furnace with
perfect ventilation; and the high
school department has al extensive
library of text and reference books.
and journals of the most approved
tone and character.
The enrolment for the year is not
entirely completed, but has progress
ed far enough to demonstrate the fact
that the aggregate will exceed that
of last year by about 10 per cent
Further comment cannot improve
this showing, and time and space for
bid our dealing specially with the
work Of the individ ual teachers. The
only thing to be added is to express 4
hope that in the near future we will
see located here universities. colleges
and any other institutions that will
promote education and morality.
The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1887-12-15

over the prairIes, and signs of former
warfare and backgrounds were then
more marked and flesh ut several
piaces-for instance, an old decayed
breastwork at Gadgers Station, one
on IN island in IL lake near Donnelly,
and half circle of diggings or holes
on sections Is and % in the town of
FramnaS.
An engagement between party of
Sioux aud Chippewas took place in
the spring of 1868 north of Doctor
lleenan $ farm. where also lew are
said to have been slain and buried.
Just previous, and what most pro-
badly caused this engagement,
the same ChippewaS had killed a
squaw of their own tribe, who had
married Il Sioux brave some time
before, and said killing took place
near the lower crossing ut Stone s
mill. News having been sent to st.
aul of hostile gatherings in Dakota
Territory and the authorities fearing
anew attack on the few scattered
settlers along this western edge of
civilization. Coy. Austin sent his
secretary Of state, Col. Hans Mattson,
with IL good supply of rifles and am
munition, for the purpose of orga-
niZing state militia, this county
being designated for company "I'
LIST. Regiment, and John Folsom was
appointed captain, Thos. Thomasson
LIST. and Henry FosS 2nd lieutenants.
Companies of soldiers exchanging
stations and military wagon-trains
very often passing through the settle.
ment made the settlers feel more at
ease. and no more uneaSlneSS for their
safety was felt until the big scare in
1874.
In the first years of the settlement
buffalo were seen east OF the Pomme
de Terre river; elk, deer and lynx
were numerous, the bear was also
seen at a few places, large eagles
nests then adorned most of the larger
trees around the lake shores. cormor-
ants, swans and pelicans resorted
regularly every summer to the larger
lakes, but rabbits and prairie chick
ems were then very scarce.
Among those who traverSed this
county i'll the early part of its hablta-
ton, and before that time, is also MI,
Chas. Wintermute. who, attracted by
the beauty and charm Of the place,
established his permanent home at
the lovely place in Morris yet own
ed by him. Memories of this dear
Old place will always be cher
rished in the hearts of the oldest
settlers. This was the site of Cad
gers Station and temporary county
seat i'll years gone by.
The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1887-12-15
'OWIT HAPPENED,

How it happened? you want to know?
Well, old boy, can hardly tell.
OF we went over the frozen SNOW;
Merrily iingled each silvcry bell.
| was awkward and she was shy.
Jove. what n ride we had that night,
Trees and houses IL flying by.
Her cheeks a-glow and her eyes a. light.
What did | say! said twas cold;
Tucked the robes round her dainty feet,
While her hair in the starlight, shone like
gold,
And her laughter echoed SO clear and
sweet
And then we drove around the MILL
Across the river, above the glen.
Where the brooklet's voice was hushcd
and still,
And said that it looked like frost
again.
And somehow held her hands in mine
Only to keep them warm, you know
While brighter the starlight seemed to
shine,
And diamonds sparkled upon the snow:
And-wcli, old boy, SO it happened then
| won my love when the night grew old,
What dill you say? Did ii freeze again?
Maybe; but we didn t feel cold.
The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1887-12-15

BECOME lace and his great Uender heart
rose up within him like the pillows OF
the sea.
'Don't fret, Loisy, my gel" he said
cheerfully. at was only an accident.
'Taint worth frettin' about" And he
bent down and kissed her forehead
a rare occurrence in Their undemon-
strative household. "Weli 20 TO work
and make it up as fast rs posslble.my
dear"
ooh, 'Liakim," sobbed the poor
wife. 81 don't deserve you should be
SO good to me. Pm a cross, scoldln'
creetur, and
"Tut, tut, tut" good humoredly
interrupted her husband. Guess /
amt eoln' to hev my wife abused this
away"
"And am sorry | spoke SO short
about them pumpkins" added
Louisa dolefully.
Mr.. Ellis whistled under his breath
He was almost disposed now TO regret
that he had paid out that dollar for
the Widow Hepsy's pumpkins.
himself, "and it can't be undone.
Lousy u pest 10 DC Ie4I III lHt QdIh, i
guess, about 1t.
He was alertly kindling the fire.
while Mrs. Ellis moved sadly about
making preparations for the evening
meal, when there was q lively tattoo,
played by a very energetic pair Of
knurkles on the door outside.
Come in" shouted he.
And who should make his appear
ance but the tin-peddler himself
"HeIlo, squire"' said he. Guess
there's been mistake somewhere. ]
amt buyin' up government coupon
bonds. Pm in the tin trade. found
this ere in your old pockets. 50 |
thought it was the best TO bring it
back right away"
He held out the folded slip Of parch-
ment. Eliakim looked oddly at it.
Fetch or Dlogenes and his lantern"
said he. 81 cale'late here's the honest
man at last"
Get out" said the peddIer. II
don want none O. ur-syllabled fun
poked at HE. But tell you what /
dew want. Them there pumpkins
that you was cartin' in when | ex-
changed a sauce pan and two dippers
for them gray pants with your good
lady, I'll give you five cents Il piece
| for 'em"
Done" cried Farmer EIjakim Joy
fully.
"There's 10 he a BIG dinner up to
Stapleses Hill" went on the tin-ped-
dler. "And they re goin' to bake two
hundred pumpkin pies, and al! the
pork and beans to De had. And there's
goin' TO be a cornerin pumpkins. I've
got my wagon out here, 50 | guess
We'll load up right away"
And thus the hundred dollar coupon
bond was returned, all safe and sound
by the tin-pe2dler, who wa as honest
as he was shrewd, and the Widow Hep
sy Halls pumpkins were satisfactorily
marketed. So much SO, indeed, that
Ellakim even purchased out OF the prof
its snuff colored merino gown, which
lie lett at the widows door the Very
next time he drove past.
It's pity she can't share more O
the good luck" said she.
Mrs. Hall found the gown, neatly
wrapped in paper, at her door when
she came home from cranberryjrg in
the swamp, and she never knew where
it came from. But she made it up,
and wore it to her daughter Belinda ;
in The city.
But honest Eliakim hasnotye told
Louisa, his wife, that he bought Wild
ow Hepsev's pumpkins, and paid q
dollar for them i'll good hard cash.
ut amt best to tell women every
thing said he.-EQwin Forrest
Graves.
The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1887-12-15

In 1885 Thomas Thomasson prepared
for the old settlers meeting II paper
confirming bits of recollection con-
corning the first settling i'll stevens
county. These old time recollectiopS
cannot but be of exceeding interest
to all residents of the county, and
particularly to tie old settlers, there
fore, while the limit Of space pre-
vents the publication of the paper III
full we reproduce many of its refer
enceS here:
40 some," says Mr.. ThomaSson, it
nay seem to be of little or no con-
sequence who were the first to come,
but those who have felt the LONELINESS
IF the far west and who every day used
20 espy the solitary prairie and scru-
.inlZe the horizon for prairie Schoon.
ars or other signs of new corners,
hose only can realize what value or
Specification one year, or even one
month or week time is to the
lonely frontier settler.
On the geographical map of the
State, this county was at first an en-
tirely different looking county from
what it is to day. The county OF
stevens, as first established in 1866
was long and narrow. and consisted OF
Is townships situated as follows
The south east corner of the county
was at the south east corner of the
town of Framnas. the south west
corner. ut the south west corner of the
town of Pepperton,( 6 townships wide)
and run townships north to the pres
emf north boundary--line of Grant
county; the balance of the county,
lying south from the toWnship-llne
lunning through the village of Norris
formed Il part of what was then
known as the Lac qual Parle county.
In 1868 the county WAS reestablished
10 its present shape. The name was
given as a compliment to Col.Steyens.
CT Minneapolis, Il man of pioneer
fame in the state.
The first settlers came in the fol.
lowing order:
lS66-Charles Olson, Lewis L. Heg.
land, Hans Gudvangen, Christian
jacobson, Peter Bjork. Thomas
Austinson Hagen. Mons. Johnson and
John Whipple, who the following
spring took charge of the Gadgel
Station, that was then located here
by Henry Gadger.
iS67-Lars II. Hansee, Hans Han
see. Erick Erlandson, Thomas Thomas.
son. Lewis Baker, Ole Mikkelson.and
Phillip Frisby and family, in the fall,
who came to take chsrge Of the afore.
said Station.
1S6S-Jacob Baker, Ole Melland
Henry Gadger. William Perry, Henry
Foss, Warner ( Bros. Matt Diedricl
r. NJ. Richardson and John Folsom.
1S69-Wm. McPerson, John llar
rington. Albert Movins, Christian
Gaarder. Herman Winter, J. d. Good
John Backins, Peter Peterson
George Hanson and Archibald
Dung;
1S7O-Shalmark ST., Herman Zah,
and brothers, O. c. Hanson, VIM
Wumsch Michael Calvin and others
The frontier line was that year adj
vanced to the lakes and groves neal
Donnelly and Frog Lake, and the
settlers then came in too numerous tC
be mentioned here. The first post
office, ''Scanda,' named and kept b.
Thomas ThomasSon, was established
December 3rd, 1867. The first genera
election was held at Gadger s-Station
1869, about % legal voters enrolled
The first legally surveyed road. q
state road now yacatedl from Glen
wood via. Gadgers Station to Browns
Valley. The first store was kept By
The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1887-12-15
IMPROVEMENTS.
Surprising record Of Morris growth durin G
the year 1887.

To dilate at length or to portray in
glowing language and glittering gen.
eralities the nature and value OF
Morris improvements and what has
been done in this direction in the
village for the past year is not our
intention. There is no cause for 1T
and time and space forbid it. The
facts themselves are clinchers of the
truth and reason of the general asser-
ton that no village of its size in the
Park Region, and few anywhere,
can boast of the substantial improve
ments, palatial buildings and wonder
ful growth for year as can the VIII
lage Of Norris.
The many splendid residences in the
village Of Morris, representing in
individual value amounts as high as
SO, 900, are browning gems of the
architectural beauty of the place.
And these are not the most expensive
or substantial buildings. The advent
Of the brick making industry here
was the opening of a better era for
the building record of our village, for
it has placed in our midst many last.
ing monuments Of prosperity, of great
Ell money value than would otherwise
have been. The public buildings of
the town, brick structures, cost the
village and county over 1000, and
no one has ever been heard to say
that any of them is not cheap at the
price paid. Several magnificent brick
blocks, and frame buildings as we'll,
grace the business portion of our city.
The cuts herewith. presented are a
few Of the many grand business blocks
| that are to be seen in Morris.
This year the town has arranged
to have sunk public we'll to provide
an ample supply of water for all ge-
neral needs; the fire department of
the village, with important improve
ments now to be made, by the adding
of improved apparatus, need take no
back seat for any department in the
west.
But lest this sort of talk might not
be convincing as to the extent and
rapidity of Morris development we
refer our readers to the following
| itemiZed
The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1887-12-15

The enyied child of the Northwest.
Morris, is comparatively unknown 10
a large number of those who Will
read these columns. None who have
had occasion To visit this village
can readily comprehend the entire
scope of her importance, and there
fore, it is for the purpose Of making
plain the lnnerreality of her prestige,
describing hel varied attractions and
advantages, and conversing freely
and candidly with our readers upon
various matters of moment pertain
ing not only to the pillars Of the pres
ent stability Of Morris, but also to an
swer all possible questions that we
devote considerable space to
The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1887-12-15

to portray all the possibilities of
Morris, for III contemplating her
past developements, our Imagination
has been sent on Il chase down the
vista of future ages, and we cGp
discern what may come.
You cannot always Judge from
past history what congress will or
will not do this session. but we can
from the transformation that has
been consumated in Morris in the
last decade, form Il very accurate
idea of what, according to the natural
law of events, will follow.
Sullivan may down all his com
petitors with one stroke, but the
combined force of all her rivals
cannot distance Morris as an agricull
tural. manufacturing and commercial
emporium.
-t-+-r+-l-E-
Matters of seemingly trivial impor'
lance are popping up constantly anu
testifying in most eloquent words
that Morris is TO be, ii not now, the
great business centre of the north
west; demonstrated 10y the gradual
developement Of her stock raising and
agricultural interests.
-t+-tf-r-t-
One of the first things that opens
the eyes OF the stranger is the
volume of grain shipped from this
point annually.